Ridge is at Brookes house and she asks what is he asking her? He stands before her and tells her that after all that has happened this past year, she is the ONLY woman in his life that he can believe in. (has he forgotten hed been replaced by Nick, her destineeeeeeee already?) Suddenly she tells him stop. Whatever it is that hes going to ask her, she doesnt want to know. She walks off.

Nick is on The Shady Marlin with the main fuse blown and hes working on it when Jackie comes aboard. She replies it looks very romantic; he tells her its called a power outage. She remarks that shed stopped by the beach house and Bridget said hed stepped out  seems to be the only way she could get him to stop playing nursemaid. Nick remarks that she is stuck in bed; she can use all the help she can get. Jackie replies that sometimes a woman doesnt always want to depend on a doting husband. They touch briefly on the fact that theyd just made a video with Felicia for Dominick. She remarks that there is no greater gift that what he and Bridget have agreed to do. His life is changing so much. And that is why she is here. She and Massimo want to give a baby shower for Bridget and his daughter. Nick says that is fine by him; theyll just have to wait for her to get out of bed. She reflects back on Christmas and remarks this will be a way to get the family all back together again. Maybe even Ridge can make it this time. Nick tells her they might not be able to count on that. He and Taylor are having a few problems.

At Tridge Manor, Taylor ushers Hector into the house and apologizes for not returning his calls. She knows he wants to know what is going on. Hes sympathetic and tells her that when he didnt hear back, he just wanted to make sure she was okay. She tells him she told Ridge about their kiss. He states its important to be honest. By the look on her face, he replies it must not have gone well. He says hes responsible because he shouldnt have followed her up to her bedroom. Taylor tells him he is not responsible. She and Ridge have much bigger issues they need to deal with from a long time ago. He says sometimes you have to go through the bad to get to the good. She shakes her head, youre a dear man, Hector, but I love my husband, and I want him back.

Standing in front of the fireplace, Brooke tells Ridge that he is only having marital problems with Taylor, and he still has a ring on his finger. So anything he says to her now is just a knee-jerk reaction out of frustration to Stephanie and Taylor. He asks if she will just listen to him? She replies that no, she doesnt want to listen to him. Not after fighting with Taylor and the way he has hurt her he way he did. He comments that he didnt mean to cause her so much pain, but he had no choice. She fires back, that yes he did. He did and he chose Taylor and a life with her. It may seem like it didnt kill me, Ridge, but it did! So, theres really no moving back. He reminds her they share a son. She acknowledges that and that they will always be a part of each others lives as R.J.s parents, but she is not going to allow herself to be swept up in his life again.

She tells him that all marriages have problems, and that is what he is going through right now. He will work this out with Taylor. He states to her that every time his life has been in a crisis, she has been there for him; his only constant. She remarks that right now, it would be very easy for her to open herself up to him; whatever promise he might make. Even an empty one. She tells him thats why she has to take a stand. She advises him to go home to Taylor and your children.

He goes to the phone and calls Taylor. Shes relieved to hear from him. Hector knows its Ridge when Taylor says that. He states that he needs to see her now, alone. Meet him up at Big Bear. This surprises her, Big Bear? But, she tells him she can leave now. He says he will meet her up there. Brooke, listening, picks up on Big Bear too. She too is surprised Taylor agreed. Ridge says she didnt have a choice. (yes, we always have a choice).

Taylor tells Hector that she has to go. He tells her she doesnt have to DO anything that she doesnt want to. She gestures that she is fighting to save her marriage. He reminds her she is always fighting. Doesnt that tell her there is something wrong at the core of the relationship? She points out that she is just as much at fault for the problems in this marriage as Ridge is. He should stop pursuing her. He asks why, so she can sit around and be loyal to a man who doesnt deserve her? Reluctantly, she confides in him that she hasnt always been as honest with Ridge as she should have been. In fact, she is probably more to blame for the problems that he is. He pooh-poohs that; shes an angel. She tells him not to say that; shes only human. She tells him again hes a dear friend, and she cant thank him enough for being there for her; shes grateful. But she loves her husband, and she has hurt him deeply. She can only pray to God that she doesnt lose him forever.

Jackie is interested  Ridge and Taylor having problems. She wants details. He tells her its not his business. They can fix their own marriage. (now, finally a sensible concept). The lights come back on and he laughs, good as new. She continues in a serious vein. Shes not saying that it will, but it MIGHT rekindle Brookes relationship with Ridge. Jerking his head around, he states that is NOT going to happen. Hes not going to get back into her life, EVER! Ridge is nothing but a roller-coaster of pain and letdown for Brooke. Jackie opines that also Nick loves her too much to let her back on. He gives her a knowing look and offers that he is never going to betray Bridget, she knows that. She tells him she knows that. Hell be a great husband, but his feeling for Brooke are not going to die.

The lights flicker out again and he rushes back to the fuse to fix it. Someone else is about to board. He shines a flashlight in the face of Brooke. Jackie takes this as her cue to leave and the women both tell each other its nice to see each other. Suddenly Brooke too feels she should leave, but he asks her not to. She tells him she had this really, really bizarre day today and it would be nice to share with a friend. He pulls up a chair and tells her that she came to the right place; he is all ears. She lets him know its about Ridge and Taylor; their marriage. He asks if she told him about Hector? Brooke says it goes beyond Hector. Apparently, the kiss opened her up to confess other secrets. Wide-eyed, he says, no, oh God, say it aint so! Brooke tells him she slept with a former associate. James Warrick. Slept? He cant believe it. She relays that it was a long time ago and she kept it a secret the whole time she was married to Ridge ..with Stephanies help, of course. He whistles; boy, this just blows the lid off of everything. Nobody expected this. Brooke agrees, least of all Ridge. He jokes that she makes out with the fireman and now admitting to sleeping with people she worked with. Who knows how many skeletons she has in her closet. She tells him this has really shaken Ridge. Nick conjures that his ego could use a little bruising. She says he doesnt know what to believe any more. Her secret has rocked the very foundation of their marriage.

At the Big Bear Cabin, before a roaring fire, Taylor sits thumbing through a photo album of her and Ridge, their wedding and honeymoon. Pensively, he walks in.

Brooke laments how its not the infidelity or the cover-up that has Ridge so upset. Its how Stephanie and Taylor treated her all these years when they knew damn well that neither of them were perfect. He states that no one likes a hypocrite. She says the truth is now out. Ridge has finally stood up for her. He is not going to let Stephanie influence him any more or manipulate him. And hes sorry that he turned his back on her and R.J. She is glad he finally said those things. Nick says he should have said them a long time ago. She tells him he would have, if it had been him. He retorts, thats because I am smarter than he is. Dont you get that yet? She comments that there is justice yet. Its nice to know that wrongs dont go unpunished. He warns her that just because hes given her some long overdue apology doesnt mean things have changed with the guy. She wonders; and tells him that he called Taylor and asked her to meet him up at Big Bear. Big Bear is where she slept with James. Nick gets up and faces her. Does she think hes going to end the marriage? She says she hopes not. She told him he should stay with Taylor. Nick wants to make sure that Ridge knows she has moved on. She replies yes. He offers, because if he uses this as an excuse to get back into your life, its wrong! its not good for Hope. She comments she cant actually believe hed end his marriage. Nick is more adamant, she CANT let that happen! He wants her to make him a promise. He knows how vulnerable she can be when it comes to Ridge. But, she cant make the mistake of going back to him. She just cant do it. If she goes back to him, hell only let her down like hes always done. I want you to promise me, that if this marriage of Forrester and Taylor bellies up, that you WONT go back to him!

Both Taylor and Ridge stare at each other and she finally says hi. He also replies that back to her. She puts the book away and stands up and says she is glad he called and wants to talk. He steps closer but doesnt say anything. She comments that she knows hes upset. He utters upset, disappointed, angry, yeah. She knows she should have told him about James; it was wrong. She has told him and now wants to fix their marriage. She wants to rebuild it with complete honesty. Honesty?, he mocks. She was with a man and then she sat in judgment of Brooke for so many years. He doesnt know, but doing that to Brooke seems so hypocritical to him. Shes amazed, it always comes back to Brooke when it comes to him. God, be angry with her because of James. But, why is Brooke always a part of their life? You know, Ridge, I just made a confession to you. The most painful transgression Ive ever made in my life. And what did you do, you took it to Brooke. Do you know how that makes me feel? He can only state that Brooke is the mother of his child. She was his wife and Taylor knows his feelings for her. He never lied to her about that. She concedes that she is aware of his feelings for Brooke. He stammers that hes just trying to be honest here for the sake of their family. She replies that so is she. Thats why she told him about James. A long silence ..she finally tells him she loves him and cries that their family is the only thing she has. So, be angry with her, but let them deal with it and work through it. He seems disinterested as he lets her ramble. She tells him she is sorry for all of this and begs him that she needs for him to forgive her ..She knows he asked her here where she betrayed him because he wants to end the marriage. She sniffs that she is not going to let that happen. She grabs him and looks him into the eyes and says they had an incredible life together and a beautiful family; as happy as any family can be. She cups his face and cries that she cant imagine her life without him. She wouldnt know how. Hes everything to her. She tells him the strength of their love is being tested, but their love is strong. She knows that; they are in the fight of their lives. They can ride it out. Please, please, tell me youre committed to that?

He takes her hand from her shoulder and pulls and turns away. She clings and begs him not to do this; she is NOT going to let this family fall part.